Page 34 of Beautiful Crazy

“Was this recently?” Elias, happy with his suit fit, takes off his jacket and hangs it on the waiting hanger.

“No. It was the day Dad told us about his diagnosis. I was a mess that day and she was there for me, and I was probably way more drunk than I should’ve been. It was a stupid move, but I went for it. I didn’t even ask permission. I just…did it.”

Asher chuckles. “Did she slap you?”

“No, she fucking kissed me back and then laughed in my face about how we should never ever do that again because we were both too drunk to control ourselves.”

“Does she even remember that it happened?” Graham asks.

“No idea.” I shrug. “We never mentioned it again, but I can tell you without a doubt that’s the day I started to fall for her. And every day since has been torture.”

Elias looks at me like he’s Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a case. “Did you start to fall for her that day because you kissed her?”

I shake my head. “No. I just remember thinking about how I wasn’t the least bit attracted to her when she first moved in. I was always into blondes, but then over time, without realizing it, my tastes changed. I was watching her that day, trying to make me dinner and burning it, hugging me to help me feel better. It made me realize just how much she’d been there for me and how much I love all the little things about her, but we made these rules when she moved in…”

Asher places a hand on my shoulder. “You know what this means, right?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“It means it’s time to break some rules, Bro.”

I sigh. “That’s easier said than done.”

“It’s what Dad would tell you.”

A slight smile plays across my lips as fond memories of conversations with Dad replay through my mind. “He did tell me to break the rules. I just chose not to listen.”

Beckham continues to hang the remainder of his suit on the hanger in front of him. “Well Emmett, maybe it’s time to rethink those decisions.”

“He’s right, Emm,” Graham nods. “Fuck the rules. Life is short. If anyone knows that, we do. Breaking the rules isn’t always a bad thing.”

___

“You know, I don’t know why you’re staring at me like that. Like I’m doing something wrong. I’m not a thief you know. I would much rather be doing something else.” I wave the scoop in my hand at the gray cat with the resting bitch face standing at the entrance to the bathroom. “You should be thanking me, Lola. You get to poop in this nice box that Emily got for you and here I am taking your poop away.”

Meow

“Yeah, now you say something. Now that I’m all done. What a gentleman I am, huh? You’re welcome, by the way.”

I take Lola’s bagged dirty litter to the kitchen to throw away and the fluffball follows me down the hall.

Meow

“There’s food in your bowl, kitty. And I just gave you a clean place to drop a deuce. What more do you want?”

Meow

The gray floofer weaves in and out of my legs, making me almost trip over her while carrying her bag of shit. “I swear, you’re going to be the death of me, cat.” I finally make it to the trash can and after throwing away the bag of dirty litter, I reach down to rub Lola right behind her ears.

“You’re lucky you’re a cute kitty-cat. And even luckier, I love your mother.” I whisper that last part so Emily doesn’t hear me from her room. She should be coming out any minute now so we can go.

In her attempt to make up for my having to pretend to be her boyfriend last weekend, Emily planned a fun night out for the two of us. Something she knew I would like. A night at Player Pete’s, the local sports bar in town with more screens than I can probably count. Her plan is to order all the bad-for-us appetizers and several beers while we watch the Louisville River Frogs hockey game at the same time we watch the Louisville Cardinals basketball game plus whatever ESPN is showing tonight as well.

I didn’t bother telling Emily that it was my greatest pleasure being her boyfriend for the night and that I wish she would let me hold that title for a lot longer than just one night, but for now I’ll take what I can get. She was so excited earlier in the week to tell me about the plans she was making and even more excited this morning that today is the day. I’m genuinely excited to go out with her tonight for some relaxed fun.

“Em, you ready to go? Puck hits the ice in twenty minutes.”

Her door opens and when she steps out of her room into the hallway my heart flips in my chest. She’s dressed in her favorite purple panda pajama pants and a light pink sweatshirt that falls off her shoulder. Her hair is piled on top of her head and it’s clear she’s been crying recently. Her mascara is smudged around her eyes. It’s clear she doesn’t feel well but fuck if she isn’t still adorable. Lola runs to her immediately, rubbing herself along Emily’s legs.

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